1000 Gifts

 

475.  Daddy helping with sick boy

476.  good books that reach, lift the spirit; helpful books

477.  laughing together

478.  Settlers of Catan set out a week now

479.  new reader -- 64 words

480.  kind doctor

481.  brave boy - bloodwork

482.  privilege of hearing Gracia Burnham

483.  joy found in forgiveness

484.  baptism of young ones

485.  memorization of Scripture (I Corinthians 13; Psalm 23)

486.  chore helpers

487.  abundant provision

488.  daddy-dates

489.  finding time

490.  making time

491.  joy in ministry at home

492.  reading aloud (The Hiding Place, finished now)

493.  planning

494.  children's spontaneous songs, with parts

495.  snuggling with the sickies

496.  prayers answered

497.  running errands

498.  new tires

499.  that divine power (II Peter 1:3)

500.  refunds






I've joined Ann at Holy Experience with many others in expressing gratitude to God, the Giver of all good things. Grab the button here and join us.

1000 Gifts...from early January

 

A counting of gifts forgotten in draft...




461. Beautiful prayers of my sisters in Christ

462. Cinnamon roll dough rising

463. Christmas decor, so much enjoyed! and now, thankfully, put away

464. Groceries left on my doorstep in the darkness {THANK YOU for your sweet kindness, whoever you are!  The Lord knows}

465. My oldest, now twelve

466. The lean Christmas turned complete and overflowing-full

467. The Christmas mug from J...his joy in seeing me drink my morning coffee

468. A rare date with my love, the daddy of our children, the hard-working provider, the constant source of support and encouragement in my every endeavor...

469. Cleaning the chapel building as a family and beating our best time

470. Prayers over the phone

471. Sewing doll clothes in the night to surprise those little girls

472. Quiet moments

473. Laughing with friends

474. Sun-shiny warmth



I've joined Ann at Holy Experience with many others in expressing gratitude to God, the Giver of all good things. Grab the button here and join us.

It's Gone Potato Soup

An easy dish to make and take in a crock pot. 
And the pot is always empty after potluck dinner.


Peel and cube lots of potatoes (10-15)
Cover with cold water in stock pot
Sprinkle in some salt
Bring to boil and boil 45 minutes
While your potatoes are boiling away...

Fry up some bacon (4-8 pieces or so) Don't you love how specific I am with this?
I have used cubed ham instead of the bacon
Dice half an onion
and saute' in half a stick of butter...you can use a bit of that bacon grease...I won't tell

When your potatoes are finished boiling
mix in the onions and bacon

Add some salt and pepper...about a teaspoon of each

Allow to cool a bit...or not
Ladle into blender and blend a bit at a time...an immersion blender would be cool for this!
Ladle, blend, pour into another pot
(use your crock pot if you want to take it to potluck or a friend's house or wherever)

Repeat until all soup is creamy.  Mmmm...

Mix in 2 cups of milk

Stir in a cup or two of cheese

Note: this filled my crock pot to the tippy top!

Washing Shower Curtains

I posted this a long time ago but thought I would throw it out there again.  I love having a sparkling, new-looking shower curtain liner with little effort, using common household products, and NOT having to buy a new liner.


from Mary Ellen's Best of helpful hints

"Fill the washing machine with warm water and add 2 large bath towels [and shower curtain liner].  Add 1/2 cup each of detergent and baking soda.  Run through entire wash cycle.  However, add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse water.  Do not spin dry or wash vinegar out.  This method will not work without the bath towels.  Hang immediately.  Wrinkles will disappear after curtain has thoroughly dried."

Nothing Between

      written by Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933)

Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
Naught of this world's delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there's nothing between.

Nothing between my soul and the Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor,
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;
Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him e'er sever;
He is my all, there's nothing between.

Nothing between, like pride or station;
Self-life or friends shall not intervene;
Though it may cost me much tribulation,
I am resolved; there's nothing between.

Nothing between, e'en many hard trials
Though the whole world against me convene:
Watching with prayer and much self-denial,
I'll triumph at last, with nothing between.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/372#ixzz1cxdZpPbV

PRAUTES

Do you like words?

I do.


Do you know what that word is?

I just looked it up.


Prautes is the Greek word translated "meekness" in some translations of the Bible.


And I just have to share.

It's so good.



MEEK, MEEKNESS


...In its use in Scripture...it consists not in a person's "outward behavior only; nor yet in his relations to his fellow-men; as little in his mere natural disposition.  Rather it is an inwrought grace of the soul; and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God.  It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting; it is closely linked with the word [humility]...it is only the humble heart which is also the meek, and which, as such, does not fight against God and more or less struggle and contend with Him.  This meekness, however, being first of all a meekness before God, is also such in the face of men, even of evil men, out of a sense that these, with the insults and injuries which they may inflict are permitted and employed by Him for the chastening and purifying of His elect."  ...In Galatians 5:23 it is associated with,..."self-control."


The meaning..."is not readily expressed in English, for the terms meekness, mildness, commonly used, suggest weakness and pusillanimity to a greater or less extent, whereas prautes does nothing of the kind.  Nevertheless, it is difficult to find a rendering less open to objection than 'meeknes'; 'getleness' has been suggested, but as prautes describes a condition of mind and heart, and as 'gentleness' is appropriate rather to actions, this word is no better than that used in both English Versions.  It must be clearly understood, therefore, that the meekness manifested by the Lord and commended to the believer is the fruit of power.  The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was 'meek' because he had the infinite resources of God at His command.  Described negatively, meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest;  it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all....






Quotations from Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.  This essential Bible study tool is available online at no charge, and you can find it here.   Highlighting is mine.

Nancy's Hospitality Book Recommendations

Getting away overnight...

            with my girlfriends...

                     for a conference...

                               and Nancy Rolinger is the speaker...


What a treat!  Beyond a treat!  Downright spoiled am I.  {Thank You, Sweetheart}

And Nancy brought books.  *JOY*

Without further ado, here are Nancy's picks on the subject of hospitality.

The Reluctant  Entertainer  --  Sandy Coughlin's Book and Blog
 
The Hospitality Commands -- Alexander Strauch

Open Heart, Open Home -- Karen Mains

Real Love for Real Life -- Andi Ashworth

The Hidden Art of Homemaking -- Edith Schaeffer

The Shaping of a Christian Family -- Elisabeth Elliot

Nancy's talks on hospitality are available online to listen to:

   Hospitality: A Matter of the Heart
   Hospitality: Practical Helps
   Hospitality:  The Personal Blessing of Hospitality

Nancy's website can be found here.

Oh, and I forgot to mention I had the cutest roommate, too.

School Photos, 2011-12

 6th Grade

4th Grade

4th Grade

1st Grade

Preschool